Signal



1,630,405 May 31 2 H. L. NIHELL v Filed Feb. 1b. 19%

- IINVENITOR.

Homer L Mfid/ Y WMWM 77 4 A TTORN-EYS.

I operable by with Patented May 31, 1927.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER'L. NIHELL, 01? LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA- SIGNAL.

Application filed February 10, 1926. Serial No. 87,258.

This invention relates to a direction signal for indicating a change in travel which is intended by the driver of a vehicle. More specifically, itappertains to'a visual indica- 5 tor which by its position signals the character of the change for illustration, hand turn, or a in travel contemplated, as a right hand turn, a left decrease in speed.

Devices such as movable arrows and hands the vehicle driver have been satisfactorily employed as direction indicators. However, nearly all of such devices require mutilation, alteration of the vehicle body and permanent emplacement of the mechanism of the indicator. The 'present invention contemplates the provision of a device especially adapted to a closed motor car employing vertically slidable windows. The primary objectof this invention is to provide a detachable unit indicator readily placed in position upon a vehicle and quickly removable therefrom, economical and simple in structure.

These objects together with other objects and corresponding accomplishments are obtained by-means of the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section through the accompanying thereon 1n elevation 'andmeans for operating the same; Fig. 2 is a plan viewof the structure shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is av view of a fragment the front of a closed from the inside and showing my improved unit mounted in position for operation.

Referring more particularly to the drawings,'I have shown the indicator as equipped a hand for visually indicating the direction, although an arrow or any other device may be substituted therefor; The saddle or body. comprises side walls 4 and 5 1 which are spaced a Projecting from the lower end of. inner leg or wall 5 is a 1edge7 having an aperture 8 at the center thereof and a slit 9 communicating-therewith. It will be noted that the marginal edges of the-slit 9 are inclined downwardly toward the hole '8, the circumferential edge of the hole being dished downwardly. This is best seen from an inspection of Fig. 1, and is for a purpose later hand mounted distance such that a pane 45 of glass 6 may be snugly gripped thereby.

described. Outstanding from the wall 4 are brackets 10 forming a shoulder in which is p'iyotally mounted the arm 11 of a hand12.

A pivot pin 13 provides the mounting.

Extending transversely of the body is a guide 14. This guide may be formed of a tube mounted upon and secured to the top of the body or the body may be extendedand the tube arranged to penetrate the body. It is obvious that the disposition of the tube is a matter of mechanical expediency. Secured to the arm 11 is a cord or line 15 which extends through the guide 14 and is provided lndicator unit is marked A.- It is mounted upon the window 6 by slipping the body over the top with the pane 6 in the slot, as shown best in Figs. 1 and 2. It is obvious that the inner faces of the walls4 and 5 may be padded to prevent rattling and to provide a tight fit. v The body is'positioned with the hand on the outside of the pane and the line 15 with the beads on the inside. Normally the hand 12 is disposed with the arm hanging substantially vertically downwardly. This is in a position practically out of sight. Suppose it is desired to indicate that the driver is about to turn with the center of the turn on the side of the vehicle on which the a horizontal position, such as shown in Fig. 1. The hand may be placed in this position and held by pulling upon the cord 15 until the arm is horizontal.

In this. osition the middle bead or abutment will be located directly below the shelf 7. By pulling the string toward the closed end of slit 9, the bead will be disposed below the sides of the'slit so as to bridge the latter. If the pull upon the cord is released, .the bead will engage the ledge and the hand will be held in position. Due to the down ward dishing of the sides of the slit, the

latter will overhang the bead, and it will not slip from its position. Furthermore, when A the beads are being pulled downwardly to the edges of the slit,

through the opening 8, if they engage they will slide downwardly toward the center of opening 8 and pass through. If it is desired to make .a

turn in the opposite'direction, the line 15 is pass pulled downwardly and the uppermost head 16, disposed beneath the ledge. This causes the arm 11 and hand to be held in an upward and outward position which is the usual signal for a turn in that direction. If it is desired to indicate a stop or that the speed of the vehicle is to be slowed, the line is'moved until the lowermost head 16 is disposed directly beneath the ledge 7. In this position, the hand and arm are directed-at an inclination downwardly and outwardly. be diiferently colored, inorder to provide convenient markings where- The beads'16 may by it will be evident which head should be located in engagement with the under side of the shelf for a given signal.

It is obvious that various mechanical be made without departing changes may from the sp1r1t of my invention. However,

' the broad inventive idea invloves a unitary structure having the indicator and operating mechanism quickly detachable. In addition to the broader objects of this invention, there are certain details of design, such as -the construction whereby the unit straddles the pane.

What I claim is: Y 1. A direction indicator unit comprising a body arranged to detachably straddle and rest upon an upright panel, a swingable visual indicator mounted on the outside wall of said body, a line passing over the top of .said panel and to the inside wall thereof having a W9.

and secured at the other end to said indicator, spaced standlng member on the inside of said body pass but WhlCh said abutments will bridge and thereby will hold said line and mainabutments on said line, an outthrough which said line may tain said indicator in selected angular posi tion.

2. A direction indicator unit comprisinga which said line may pass but which said beads will bridge and thereby hold said beads against the passage flexible line being cator, said beads being located to engage the sides of said slit and hold said indicator in selected angular position.

3. A direction indicator unit comprising a saddle having spaced side walls arranged to detachably slip right panel, a visual indicator pivota y mounted on'the outside wall of said body, a-

ledge outstanding from the inside wall of said body, a tubular guide passing transvers'ely across said body, a line passing throu h said guide and secured at one end to said indicator whereby to' swing the latter, spaced beads onisaid line, said ledge having an openingthrough which said beads and line may freely pass and a slit communicating therewith through which said 'line may freelyrpass but which said beads will bridge and thereby will hold the: latter against passage therethrough, said beads being located to engage sai ledge and hold said indicator in selected angular position.

In witness that have hereunto subscribed my ,name this 3rd day of February,;1926.

HOMER.- L. NIHELL."

I claim the foregoing I- the outside wall therethrough, said connected to said indiover and straddle an u i 

